adminMehluli Sibanda in Middelburg, South Africa
FLYHALF Angus Bruce has been completely ruled out of the Old Mutual Zimbabwe Young Sables’ last match against Namibia at the Under-18 Coca-Cola Craven Week at High Technical School Middelburg in South Africa this morning. Bruce has a recurring groin injury he aggravated during Zimbabwe’s second match of the tournament against Griquas Country Districts on Wednesday. So bad is the injury that his parents who were in South Africa to support their son had to take him to Pretoria for a check up yesterday.
In Bruce’s absence, Kyle College flyhalf Campbell Nyakudya, who played at scrumhalf in Zimbabwe’s first match of the Craven Week against Eastern Province Country Districts on Monday, will move to number 10.
Zimbabwe are yet to record a win at the Craven Week with losses to Eastern Province Country Districts on Monday and to Griquas Country Districts. They are under pressure to come out with a win against Namibia, a team which beat them 33-10 at last year’s edition.
The Young Sables conceded some soft tries in their 54-41 defeat to EP Country Districts but put up an improved show when they took on Griquas Country Districts, taking a 13-0 lead before they eventually lost 26-20, a match they could have won had a few of the refereeing decisions gone their way.
Namibia on the other hand recovered from the 53-13 defeat they suffered at the hands of the North West Leopards with a resounding 64-0 triumph over Border Country Districts on Thursday.
Young Sables coach Godwin Murambiwa has selected what he thinks is the best team that could emerge victorious over Namibia. Murambiwa said the pressure is even added by the fact that since 2005 Zimbabwe have never returned from the Under-18 Craven Week without a win.
“Angus Bruce is out injured. There has never been an important game for these young men than this. Since 2005 Zimbabwe Under-18 have never come to Craven Week and gone home empty handed,’’ said Murambiwa.
Christian Brothers College prop Justin Mendelsohn will scrum down at loosehead prop, Lebogang Ngwenya at hooker and skipper Stephen Bhasera at tighthead prop. Towering lock Eli Snyman and Tinashe Gonese will lock the Zimbabwean scrum in the second row with Brian Muntanga, Cole Bond and Daniel Nyamugama making up the loose trio.
Old Mutual Zimbabwe Young Sables to play Namibia: Justin Mendelsohn, Lebogang Ngwenya, Stephen Bhasera(captain), Eli Snyman(vice-captain), Tinashe Gonese, Brian Muntanga, Cole Bond, Daniel Nyamugama, Ngoni Zinyama, Campbell Nyakudya, Tarisai Mapfumo, Matthew Ushewokunze(vice-captain), Tapiwa Mazorodze, Tawanda Ngosi, Shaun Snyder
Replacements: Bradley Crause, Ackim Sibanda, Jeffrey Makoni, Dean McRoberts, Godwin Mangenje, Brian Mhuriyengwe
Coach: Godwin Murambiwa
Assistant coach: Brendon Brider
Team manager: Tungamirai Mashungu
derick.khumalo